Sliding counter seat



July 14, 1953 c. F. cARAMELLl sLIDING COUNTER SEAT 5 Sheds-Sheet 1 FiledOct. 1l. 1948 ATTORNEYS JulyA 14, 1953 c. F. CARAMELLI .SLIDING comanSEAT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m out. 1 1. .4948.'

7e 74 15 a2 e2' INVENTOR CARL F. .CARAMELLI 4"7i/M1L/@./WM

i ATTORNEYS C. F. CARAMELLI- July 14, 1 953 f SLIDING coUN'rm SEAT 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. 11'.

me. e. 5| 53 29 85 47 I9 53 5I I8 4|4 iNvENToR CARL F. CARAMELLIATTORNEYS July 14, 1953 c. F. cARAMELLl SLIDING coUN'mazR SAT Filed 051.1i. 194B c. F. CARAMELLI SLIDING COUNTER SEAT July 14, 1953 Filed oct.11. 194e FIG. l5.

m, L r.. 3 v 7.. I l 7.11- I J. La

---i hummm FIG. I4.

FIG. I6.

INVENToR CARL F. CARAMELLI ATTORNEYS www.. m

Patented July 14, 1953 "SLIDING COUNTER.4 SEAT.

" arl 'CaramellL Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to leter G. Caramelli,Los Angeles, Calif.

' Application October 11, 1948, Serial No. 53,923

1 `This invention has to do with counter stools such as are commonlyused in restaurants, drug stores, ice cream parlors andthe like, inconnectiOn with a counter where customers are served. The invention isparticularly concerned with an adjustable counter seat which may bemoved by the customer Yrelative to the counter to `a position which iscomfortable for him.

An object of this invention is toprovide an` improved, adjustablecounter seat which may be easily operated by a .person and which is de-Vsigned to remain in adjusted position.

Another object is to provide a, rotatable seat which also may beadjusted laterally, as toward and away from a counter, for example, andwhich embodies means whereby the seat automatically returns to apredetermnedposition.

A further object of the Vinvention is to provide an automatic means forholding the seat in an adjusted position when a weight is imposed on itas when one is sitting on the seat. An object, in this connection, is toprovide a delayed action holding means whereby a person sitting on theseat can make the necessary adjustments to suit `his comfort before theholding means will become effective tolock the seat against movement. 1I

A A further object of the invention is to provide a holding or locking`means of the type indicated which will only work when the, seat isfacing a molaims. (c1. 15545) i given direction and which .is actuatedby the Weight ofaperson on the seat. i I.

A still further object of the inventionis provide an adjustablecounterseat 4of, the type indicated which is adapted tovbe mounted on presentstandards or columns, and another object is to4 provide a simplifiedconstruction particularly adapted to be embodied in new counter seats atthe time of manufacture.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and thefollowing description thereof. Referring to thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevational View of arcounter seat of the type for whichtheinvention is designed; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View on the line 2-2 of .2 Fig..8 is a ofFig.5; AI Y N,

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 5; Fig.10 is a `perspective viewof a self-centeringbracket; Y 1

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of a device embodying another form ofthe invention;

Fig. 12 is a section on line I2-I2 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a perspectiveview of the ends of the center Vpin and piston of the mechanism Y ofFig.` 11; I

Fig. 14 .is a sectional elevation of another form ofthe invention; I

Y. Fig. 15-is` a plan view on partially broken away; Y

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section on line IG--IE of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is .an enlarged fragmentary view of the valvemember of thecontrol unit.V I

More particularly describing-the invention, in Fig. 1 there is shown acounter seat or stool which embodies a standard I2, ordinarily securedto the floor, aseat member I 4 and a back-rest I5.

Referring particularly toFigs. 2-10, reference Y numeral I1 (Fig. 3)indicates the frame of the which is centrally apertured` at `26 toreceive,

a mounting pin 2l, having a portion 28 of reduced diameter which isreceived in the plate. Thepin is threaded t0 take` a nut 29.' Themounting pin is mounted for rotation and for axial movement in a cupwhich is supported in the tubular standard I2 by means of a flangedbushing 32 held in place by a screw 33. A spring 34 is interposedbetween the bottom ofthe tom of the cup.

The mounting plate 25 carries four rollers 35 whichare mounted in radialarms 36 extending from the plate which is shown as being otherwisesubstantially circular although the exact shape ofthe plate isunimportant. The rollers are rotatably supported on screws 31 receivedin holes 38 in the ends of the arms. Each ofthe rollers has a V-shapedgroove and the rollers. are adapted to receive and ride on the tracks 23of the base plate I8. I

It will be apparent that the counter seat may thus slide back and forthon the rollers 35. In

,5 order to provide for automatic return of the seat to its originalposition, a pair of springs fragmentary section on line u-aj uneIs-*Ispf Fig. 14,'`

pin and the bot-` mounted on posts 4| (Figs. 5 and 9) extending from theseat base plate are provided. The other ends of the springs are attachedto projections 42 on brackets 43. These brackets are each in the form ofan elongated loop and are mounted .for slidable movement upon the pin 46supported in a boss 41 formed on the mountingplate 25.

The bracketsv areretained by washers 48 andrcotter pins49.

In operation, the springs yieldably urge the seat to a central or givenposition. Thus, in Fig".

9, for example, movement ofthe seat 'and.l1ence=.` posts 4| to the leftwill be resistedby the spring at the top of the figure whilamovementfjofthe` seat in the opposite direction willbe' resistec'l'by posts. Theextent of movement of theseat is limited 'by bumper posts45enthe seat'-wlrliclfr'are positioned to abut, respectively, the ends Aof'pla'tevrIt is a feature of the invention thatmeans are provided for holding theseat in adjusted posi-- causing the upper edges 53 of the dogs tofirmlythe other spring. The sliding bracketsA 43 main+ tain the springsin normal taut but not stretched condition by reason of the bracketsabuttinghe" engage the undersurface ofthe base plate; Y The means alsoincludes a hydraulic controlunit, gen

erally indicated by 55 (Figsl 3 Aand 5),'whichv is designed to preventthe seatl being' depressed for a predetermined lapse Vof time vafter apersonsits on it.

Referring particularly to I' the control unit mechanism 55, which isbest illustrated ink Figs. 5 7, this mechanism-includes a cylinder'which is .mounted on` the'column orstandard l2 by means of a splitcollarv 51; the cylinder being provided with ears 58 (Fig: 8) which areattached to the collar by means of` screwsV 59. Mounted in the cylinderand? received in an'opening'l in the collar, is a piston 62whichvcarriesa roller'63 at its upper end.` The rollerfisfmounted o n apin" 6'4 whichris supported'by aV bi'furcated upperend portionA 65formed on the pi'sto'n. 'Ifhelroller'isw designed to rideon a trackp68formed on the undersurface of the mountingplateff This-track isVinclinedr from a pair of highfspotsgfateach sideV to a low spot1||intermediate thereof-As a result,` the seat tends normally to return Vtotheposition inwhich it is shown in the drawing undertheiniiuence'oflgravity and'the'roller -63'coacting with the track, theroller being-forced upwardly by a spring 95| laterto be described; Inthisv con-vr nection, in Fig. 5, spring 34v is shownfully ex-r tended orin normal position. The endsi of thetrackf terminate in abrupt shoulders1| `which limit the amount of'rotation of theparts.

The control unit prevents downward movement of the' seat unless the seatis correctly oriented rotatively to the standard supporting it, as whenthe roller 63 is on the lowest portion ofthe track.

"The piston 62 has a pair of enlarged portions '12 passage15lan'd isurgedtoeclosed position by a" Y 4 spring 82. The valve includes a stem83 provided with a forked outer end 84 which is 'slidably mounted on endB5 of the piston. The valve is depressed to open position when the forkrides on a pair of detents 85 on the underside of the mounting plate. Y

The enlargedI portion 13 ofthepiston is provided with. severalbjr-passeports: 86.7which are controlledb'y a disc valveV 81. The valveis enclosed by a housing 88 centrally apertured at 89. Aspring 90interposed between the end wall 56 of` thecylinder and the housing,serves to return the piston to upward position.

'The'"deviceialsodncludes a metering. pin 92 whichno'rmally rests onVthe housing and which,

, as shown in,Fig,' 6 ,'will rise upwardly in the passage 15 as underthe influence of a heavy or sudde'nwei'ght'on the seat, causing rapidflow of fluid through the passage as the piston is forced down,tl-ierebyi'increasing l resistance0 to l ilow of fluids Y from`tlielowerichamberf519:.through Athe piston to the Tvupperlchamber:185-The lowerend offthepin is'slottedf-at 932tof prevent Qthe p'i-n actingas afcheekvalvelfor opening 89lthroughhousing"-8Il.'vk

In/.the fopera'tio'niof tliedevice,` a person sits orithe 'seatl andaeljixsts the-manie forwardly', or-

desirfed posi-tion. -Y lss'uming';Y

ini position-to -befactuated fluid-i wmf 13e-freer@ newmpwalfdiythrough' Apassage 15lfron'i" the :lower hmber -to -the upperAv chamber,the valvefdisclbein'g effective to'closel the by-'pa'ss passag'eslasshownJ-in FigrfhDepending-lupon-tle weightwf the object on the seat;the" metering Apin -92-1 lwill? be effective -in-the fromlthelloweifchambeito theAupperi-chamber,`

'dogs 5|i anzlhencelreleasing the seatfrelativeto plate 25 and thestandard-12.1 SpringsMythen` slidefth`e` seat"-t'onormali positionas-'thelseat continues the interaction'r of.: roller' E'3'f-andztrack 68Preferably' the exposed parts f of?` the f mechanism aresubstantially??enelosedfrby'eazcasing 975Vl which serves?A asi :a'safety f guard: to prevent any clothiglorother. extraneous objectszfromgetting caught in the mechanism. This casing may comprise aepie'ce .ofisheet metal; formed. to-Y provide base flanges 96 and 91 secured to theseat frame` |1 and'l dependingfinwardlyicurved ends v98-'and sides-991f1eavirigaan opening. ull-"off sufficient. size to :permitlmovementofI the seat.

of the invention for a device designed to be-orig form being moreinfthenature of ianfattachment' `for presentday"seats:

In these figures, reference numeral |04 gene theiper'sn Vleaves the-seat, the l YseatY is l se to fll-fh'ei-g-ht underthe influenceofi'springs =J3`4 and 190.1 Duringfthis risingrnovev merit;ythe'rliquidi-inthe-upper chamber: -18 ofi thecontrol!unitl-returnsto-the lower* chamber `19 lA through? the/*passagesL86? If j"the1'seat"is turned to one side, itisrot'a-tedfto.central/position byA support for Vthe seat.

51 erally indicates the base plate framewhichmay be considered -asattached to the frame of a counter seat in any suitable manner, or aspreviously described. A `,mounting plate |05 is provided which carriesfour rollers |06 which ride on the margins |01 ofthe base plate. In thisform oi the invention, all ofthe control `.apparatus is mounted withinthe column or standard which is shown as tubular and indicated bynumeral |09. The column supports a bushing I I in which is mounted thecontrol mechanism 'and center The mechanism includes a cylinder memberwhich is supported in the bushing by means of a screw |I2. The cylinderis externally threaded at its lowerend to receive a hold-down tting I I3which receives a bolt ||4 which may be considered as being secured atthe bottom of the standard in any suitable manner.

The cylinder I includes :a pair of spaced sleeves ||6 and ||1 which aremounted therein by means of pins ||8 and H9. The upper sleeve ||1 servesas a guide for the central mounting pin |26 of the unit which is reducedat its upper end at |2| and received inL an opening |22 inia boss |23formed on the mountingy plate. The upper end may be threaded to receivea nut |24. Immediately beneath the mounting pin is a piston |25,generally similar to piston 62, which includes spaced enlarged portions|26 and 13a and` the influence of gravity. When in the position shown,the lower end of the mounting pin is effective toV depress the stem |34of the control valve |35 which serves the same purpose asthe valve 8| ofthe unit previously described.` i

In order to provide for locking the base plate and the mounting plateagainst relative movement, the mounting plate is provided with fourpivotally mounted dogs |26 which are adapted to engage a hardened plate|31 on' the bushing ||0.

T-he dogs are mounted in pairs on pins |30 passing through supportingposts |39 on the mounting plate. When the seat descends suiiiciently,the surfaces |40 of these dogs are'forced upwardly into tight engagementwith the undersurface of the base plate and securely lock the parts.

Rotation of the seat is limited by a pin |45 depending from plate whichis positioned to strike abutments |46 (Fig. 12) formed .on the bushing||0. p i

The operation of the device is the same in principle as the operation ofthe device previously p described. A person sits on the seat and it isprevented from immediately descending by the control mechanism includingpiston |25. The person then has time to adjust the seat to suit himselfafter which, if the seat is facing the counter or in the predeterminedposition so that the lower end |30 of the pin can depress the Valvestem, |34, the seat will gradually descend until the dogs |26 engage theplate |31 and lock the seat against further movement. Y

When the person leaves the seat, the spring 90a initially raises theyseatraising dogs |26 out The upper part 6 of tightengagementwithfthe.parts therebyper: mitting the seat `to slidablyreturn toitszoriginal normal position under the iniluence of thesprings.

40 shown and ydescribed in connection` with the form of the inventionpreviously described.v In` the meantime the spring 90a continues `toraise the seat to maximum height. If the seat is rotated out of normalposition, cam `surfaces |30- |3I on therpin |20 and pistonrserve tore-`turn the seat under the influence of gravity on.

the initial upthrust of the spring 90a;

In Figs. 14-17 there is shown another form of the invention,whichis-particularly` designed `tovbe built into a counter `seatat time ofmanu.-`

facture. i,

Referring to these gures, numeral |50 indicatesa column or standardwhich .is `attached to the floor. ing plate |5| and this in turnsupports'aseat lbase plate |52 in a mannerto be described later.,

The seat base plate is attached to the under portion of a counter seat,fragmentarily shown at |53 in Fig. 14. i

Mounted in the column |50 is ar tubular y111cm-,` ber or cylinder |55which is provided with a llange |56 at its upper end. -A bushing |51,held in.y

ceives a mounting pin |64 on which the mount-` ing plate |5| is carriedby means of a screw |65.'

The central portion of the` mounting plate is provided with a circular`reinforcement plate |61 and it and the mounting plate are apertured at`|68 to'receive the screw |65. 1 i

The mounting plate is provided with a pair of upwardly extending,slightly inwardly inclined flanges |10 in each of whichis mounted a-pairof rollers |1|. The seat base plate |52 is provided With dependingflanges |13 at each sideV which terminate in inwardly extending ledges|14 to accommodatethe rollers |1|.V i

It will be apparent that with thisv construction, the seat base plateandthe mounting plate are relatively slidable. Therollers I1| beingcanted or inclined with respect to the flanges` |13 provide' a simpleconstruction in which there isa minimum of contact lbetween the rollersand the base plate |52. The ends of the base plate are provided withdepending flanges |15 and |16 which cooperate with bumpers |11 and |18mounted on upturned flanges |19 and |80 respectively of the mountingplate to limit .travel of the base plate relative to the mounting plate.A pair of springs |82 are provided for returning the seat to centralposi-` tion. Each `of the springs is attached at one end to one of theend flanges'of the base plate the flange |56 of cylinderi|55 and by adepending pin |86 on the mounting plate.

As in the other forms of the invention, means are provided for lockingor holding the seat platev against movement relative to the mountingplate and for holding both of these plates against rotation relativetothe column`orvstandard.1n s

This standard supports a mount- .the sdescentoffthe seat. cludesa piston|92fwhich is providedfwith asterri 7: thisrformfof the-invention', this@means comprises.v apairfoffber pinsr|901mounted in bores v|9'|-inl themountingiplate. Y pins :areradapted-to abut!v the flange |56' whenatweightuis` :imposed` on .the seat. thereby forcing.

portion |93 having an upper head |94-at its upper end andi Aalowerhead'- |95atits'1lower end.' The headf|94 is .provided with a diagonallyThe lower ends .of-v these.

extendingxflat uppercam surface |96 which cooperatesWithLa-corresponding surface |91 on the lowerV end 'ofvpin |64.: Withthis arrangement, the-eam-surfaces |96vand |91 serve to returnthefseatto the position Vin which it is shown,

should the same be rotated toene side or theother.V The'travelV of thepiston is limited by a screw-|98',= theinner end iofi which rides in avgroove1|99in th'episton. Y

The-lower headf |951of the pistonis fitted-with a-cup packing 20G-"whichserves to seal against upward' movementrof-iiuid past the piston butwhich permits downward movement of fluid therepast. The stem|931lisprovided with'alongitudinally extending. passage:22- (seelig: 17)in which is mountedfavalve` stem203 having a valve i 204Which` seatsagainst an inclined shoulder 205 inthe passage'-202.v Immediatelyabovethe valve 204 lis'- vaport '201`which communicates with: anannularchamber '203; betweenthe head portions of thepiston. The valve2041 is normally* held seatedxbyfal spring 2091V which bears against ametering pin 2|0 supported on a cross pin 2|I mounted in a tubularvextension |920, atthe lower end ofthe piston |92.V

The piston and associated .parts are forced `upwardly by a spring.2|2'whichis interposed betweenthe piston and the lower end wallY ZIB-ofthe cylinder.. l

YWhen the mounting pin Ilv and the piston |92 are loriented in theposition in which they are shown in Fig. 14, the valve stern 203 isdepressed by the cam surface r| 91 of the mounting pin there- .byopening valve 204 'which permits escape ofA hydraulic-:fluid fromthespace-below the headv |95* of Vthepiston` through passage 202 throughthe piston and out into the annular chamber 208, therebyfpermitting theVpistonr and mounting pin and the vseat itself to descend until it restson the -pns |90v which serve to lock or hold the seat against rotationand'sliding movement.

. Itl wi-ll'be apparent that when theseat is rotated; pin, HillVwill'rise on the upper camfsurface |96 'of thepistonpermitting thevalve204 to close. Y Thus .unless the seat is inthe position shown, thepiston cannot descend.

Whena personsittingon the .seat leaves it, Y

the seatis pushed. up by the spring 2|2 and this, together with the.force of gravity, through the interactionof the cam surfaces |90-and.|91 serves toreturnthe -seat rotatively to its normal position. At thesame time,.springs |82 serve to slide thebaseplatev and` seatonthemounting plate to-central positionz.. During upward movement.`

ofthe pistontheuidin; chamber. 208; escapes downwardly pastttlie` cuppacking.. 200. into the' f chamberebeneath the.-..fpiston'.` Theameteringpin 8"- 2'|'0 operates-in the samemanner as the ingpinspreviously described. Y

Although the invention has been particularly shown VVand described, itiscontemplated that metervarious changes and modications can be madeWithoutrdepartingfrom the scope thereof asdened in theclaims. Y

I claim: Y

1 'An adjustable seating device comprising a seatmember adapted toaccommodate a person, asupportimember adapted to stand on a hoor, seatmounting means connecting said members for.limited.lateralsIidingmovement of said seat member; relativetosaid support member, and

,means responsive to .a'weight imposed on said seat memberfor. holdingsaid members ragainst relative movement, said holdingmeans beingVeifective onlyY after atime .delay from the time, a weightuisimposedxon .thelseat member.

2. An adjustable` seating.` devicewcomprismg a seat member adapted toaccommodate a person,l

a supportv member adaptedto stand 4on a door, seat mounting. meansconnecting said members for limited lateral sliding movement of saidseat.

member, relative to said support member and forv rotation of said seat'member relative to said support member, and means responsive Vto aweight imposedY onv said seat member for. holding said membersV againstrelative movement when said-members are rotatively oriented ina givenposition.

3. An adjustable. seating device comprising Ya` seatfmernberadapted toaccommodate a person, a supportmember adapted toV standen a oor, seatmountingmeans connecting said members for limitedlateral sliding`movement of said seat member, relative to said support member and forrotation of'saidseat member. relative to said support member, .and meansresponsive to a weight imposed on said seat member forv holdingsaidvmembers againstrelative movement when saidmembersarerotativelyoriented in a given position, said holdingr means beingeffective only arteria time -delay from the time a weightr is im-v posedon lthe seat member.

4. An adjustable :seatingfdeviceY for useas a counter-stoolor'theflikecomprising. an upright `standard adaptedrto be mounted on a floor, a

seatV member. adaptedv to accommodate a person, a mounting bracket,means supporting said bracket. for4 rotation and for limited verticalmovement on said standard, means slidably supporting. said seat...memberon said mountingl bracket orflimiteddateral movement, seat holdingmeans'responsiveto a-weightimposed on said seat member for. holding saidseat member .against movement, and means for preventing the immediateoperation of said seat holding -m-eans whenaiweightis imposed on saidVsea-t member.A

5.3 Anadjustable-seating device for Yuse as a counter stool or the likecomprising Aanupright standa'rdadaptedtobe mounted on a floor, a seatlelement `adapted to accommodate a person,

a mounting'. bracket.. means supporting said` `bracket for rotation..and .for limited vertical.

movement `on saidrstandard, means slidably supporting. said. seatelement on said mounting bracket for limited .lateral` movement,iseatholdingfmeansmounted on said mounting bracketfor engagement with saidstandard; said seat` holdingmeans .beingfgengageable with .and actuatedby said seat elementuponadownward'movement of;.said.;seat element, and'`means-.for preventing immediatezdownwardunovementf.ofsaid.seatl elementunder the influence of a force tending to move the same down.

6. An `adjustable seating deviceV forA` use as` a` counter stool or thelike comprising an upright standard adapted tobe mounted on a floor, a

seatV element adapted to accommodate a persona mounting bracket, meanssupporting said bracket for rotation and for limited yvertical movementon said standardjmeans slidably supporting said seatele'inent on saidmounting downward movement of said seat element un-v der the influenceof a force tending to move the same down, said lastmentioned meansincluding a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit adapted ardfproviding acylindrical recess "slidably and to gradually resist downward movementofsaid i seat element.

7. An adjustable seating device for use as a counter stool or the likecomprising an upright standard adapted to be mounted on a floor, a seatelement adapted to accommodate a person, a mounting bracket, meanssupporting said bracket for rotation and for limited vertical movementon said standard, means slidably supporting said seat element on saidmounting bracket for limited lateral movement, seat holding meansmounted on said mounting bracket for engagement with said standard, saidseat holding means being engageable with said seat element upon downwardmovement thereof,

means for preventing immediate downward movement of said seat elementunder the 1n- -fiuence of a force tending to move the same` down, saidlast mentioned means including a hydraulic piston and cylinder unitadapted to gradually resist downward movement of said Seat element whentripped, when said seat element is in a given position rotatively withrespect to said standard and adapted to prevent downward movement ofsaid seat element when saidseat element is not in said given position,and means for tripping said unit when said seat element is in said givenposition.

8. An adjustable seating device for use as a counter stool or the likecomprising an upright standard adapted to be mounted on a floor, al

seat member adapted to accommodate a person, a mounting bracket, acylindrical pin de.n pendently carried by said bracket, said standardproviding a cylindrical recess slidably and rotatably receiving said pinmeans slidably supporting said seat member on Vsaid mounting bracket forlimited lateral movement, a dog 10l arein agiv'en rotative positionrelative ,to said standard.V i v9. *Anl adjustable -seating deviceforuse as a counter stool or the likecomirising anl upright seat memberadapted-tdaccommodate a `pelson, ai mountinggbracket,ja cylindrical pindependently carriedfbysaid bracket,` said standrotatably "receiving saidpin f means slidably supporting,said seat"r member on said mountingbracket for 'limited lateralmovemenn seat stop means mountedr on saidmounting bracket for engagement with said standard, said seat stop meansbeing Aengageable with said seat member upon downward movement of saidseat member, and means for preventing immediate downward movement ofsaid seat member under the influence of a force tending to move thesamedown, said `last mentioned means includinga hydraulic piston andcylinder unit adapted to gradually resist downward movementvof said seatmemn ber, said unit including means responsive to the force acting uponsaid seat member to increase f the resistance of said unit in proportionto the force imposed on said seat member.

10. An adjustable seating device for use as a counter stool or the like.comprising an upright standard adapted to be mounted on a floor, a seatmember adapted to accommodate a person, a mounting bracket mounted forrotation and for limited vertical movement on said standard, meansslidably supporting said seat member on said Vmounting bracket forlimited lateral movement, a dog pivotally mounted on said bracket, saiddog being adapted to engage said standard and having a portionVengageable with said seat member upon `downward movement of saidbracket relative to said standard, a hydraulic piston and cylinder unitsupported by said standard and having a part engageable with saidmounting bracket, said unit having a control valve and being adapted toprevent movement of .said bracket toward said standard when said controlvalve is closed and being adapted to gradually resist movement of saidbracket toward said standard when said control valve is open, a controlvalve actuating Vmember carried Cal pivotally mounted on said bracket,said dogY being adapted to engage said standard and having a portionengageable with said seat member to limit downward movement of saidbracket relative to said standard, a hydraulic piston and cylinder unitsupported by said standard and having a part engageable with saidmounting bracket, said unit having a control valve and being adapted toprevent movement of said bracket toward said standard when said controlvalve is closed and being adapted to graduallyresist movement ofsaidrbracket toward said standard when said control valve is open, and acontrol valve actuating member carried by said piston and by said.piston and cylinder unit engageable by said bracket to open said valvewhen said seat member and bracket are in a given rotative Dositionrelative to said standard, and interengaging cam means on said mountingbracket and a part carried by said standard for-causing said seat memberto rotate underthe influence of gravity to a given position.

l1. A device as defined in claim lo in which said interengaging cammeans comprises an in clined track on said mounting bracket and a rollermounted on said piston and cylinder unit.

12. A device as defined in claim l0 in which said interengaging cammeans comprises a pin on said mounting bracket having a cam face bearingupon a cam face formed on the piston of said piston and cylinder unit.

13. A device as described in claim 10 which in cludes spring meanscooperating with the'cam means to initiate said rotation when the seatis out of normal position.

14. In an adjustable seat construction, a supportingv assembly adaptedto be mounted on the floor or the like and including a part mountedforlimited vertical movement, a seat plate, means mounting saidseatplate on said partfor limited lateral movement relative thereto, means v11 A Y carried by said supporting-Hassemblyyeldably .References Cited in.the le .of ,thispatent urging said part upwardly, a friction brakefbnt-Y UNIT-ED STATES :PATENTS ton mounted in-sa1d partl'forplumted vertlcalY e p movement and having an ,upper endrportion :td-V Numb@ Name Dit?jacent the under surface of sadseat plate, said v5 491,097 'Gould 'Fett7, 1593 button 1 engagnga stationary portionfof. said 13741413' `Webb.5" Apr. 12, 1921)v supporting assembly `,amd being limited in its11427364 Stfueb11g et al Aug- 2?, *192-l downward movement. thereby`whereloythe upper 1488:024 Nlhols Mal'. 20419242V end Aportion engages.the 'under surface lof-sed 176981734 Y jErlCkSQll f -g Jan- 15, h1929seatplate upon downwardlmovement of saidrseat 10 15271627 Y Travis' e-Oct'- 13 1 931 l plate under'the influence of a. load thereon. y Y yFOREIGNPATENTS oARL RQARAMELLI. Number Country Y Date '586,347 V"GreatBritain =Mar.14,1947

